VOM lead polarity

[WA8ZTZ]

Did you ever notice that most VOM leads are of opposite polarity in the "OHMS" mode.
In other words, the read lead has a negative voltage and the black lead has a positive voltage.
This is very annoying to me when testing the PN junction of a diode or transistor.
You have to constantly remind yourself that plus is minus and minus is plus.
All of my various VOMs behave this way except for my trusty old Simpson 260 which does it, IMHO,
correctly with red lead positive voltage and black lead negative voltage. So, it can be done.
So, why don't they?

 

[wtp]

just spit balling here, what about turning the batteries around when testing diodes or transistors ?
that way you can keep your thoughts in order.
when i tested diodes, i was just happy if it just showed flow in one direction and gave up on the lead color.

 

[petereye]

Just checked my fluke Nope on ohms red is positive same on a Meterman vom and even my old Simpson 260 REd is positive

 

[rf_patriot200]

Just checked my fluke Nope on ohms red is positive same on a Meterman vom and even my old Simpson 260 REd is positive

Same here, on my Fluke 77

 

[prcguy]

I've never encountered a meter that had negative on the red lead in ohms position. That would not work right when testing diodes or transistors and I've been doing that for 50yrs starting with Simpson and Triplet analog meters and now mostly HP and Fluke with a few cheapie meters stashed here and there. Toss that commie meter and get something that reads right.

 

[WA8ZTZ]

just spit balling here, what about turning the batteries around when testing diodes or transistors ?
that way you can keep your thoughts in order.
when i tested diodes, i was just happy if it just showed flow in one direction and gave up on the lead color.

Interesting "fix" regarding turning the battery around. While it would change the polarities of the probes, a quick look at the schematic of one of the VOMs shows that the meter would then deflect backwards.
Good idea but sometimes things just won't fall into place.

 

[WA8ZTZ]

Looks like the higher quality VOMs do it right.
The offshore stuff seems to have it flip flopped for some reason.

 

[wtp]